Sheffield Wednesday: Midfield dynamo tipped to reach the top

Dom Howson

Head coach Carlos Carvalhal is convinced Owls midfielder Kieran Lee possesses all the attributes to play one day in the Premier League.

The Portuguese chief made the admission ahead of today’s crunch clash with relegation-haunted Charlton Athletic.

Full-back turned midfielder Lee has featured 130 times for the Owls in all competitions since arriving from Oldham Athletic in May 2012.

The former Manchester United youngster has established himself as a key member of Carvalhal’s first-team squad, making more starts and appearances than any other player this season. He has netted six goals in 41 outings.

“Kieran’s a very strong, physical player,” Carvalhal told The Star. “He recovers very well between the games, which is why he can play often.

“He’s an unbelievable player. He has played at a very high level so far this season.

Carvalhal believes Lee and Scotland international Barry Bannan, who starts his three-match suspension today, have had “amazing” seasons. Lee and Bannan have been his preferred midfield partnership.

On Lee’s impact, he said: “Kieran is a shadow player because the fans don’t look to him too much because he’s not the guy who does fantastic dribbles or fantastic goals but he’s an important player for us. He’s an amazing player.

“He’s that player you can see everywhere. He can save a goal in a moment for us and 10 or 12 seconds later he can score a goal and nobody look to him.

“He knows where he must be all the time on the pitch. He’s a very clever player and he’s in fantastic physical condition.”